Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable power circuit ( 400 ) includes a single one-way DC to DC power converter ( 220, 221 ). The reconfigurable power circuit is configurable by a digital data processor as one of three different power channels ( 230, 232 , and  234 ). Power channel ( 230 ) provides output power conversion. Power channel ( 232 ) provides input power conversion. Power channel ( 234 ) provides bi-directional power exchange without power conversion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 55 U.S.C. § 119(e) toprovisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/257,995 (Docket No.405592-538P01US) filed Nov. 20, 2015, and to non-provisional U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/774,380 (Docket. No. 52289-00139/538US001 filedMay 8, 2018, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety and for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. The following notice shall apply to this document:Copyright © Revision Military Ltd.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The exemplary, illustrative, technology herein relates to areconfigurable converter power circuit. The reconfigurable converterpower circuit includes a single one-way DC to DC power converter,multiple converter channel legs, and multiple switches. Thereconfigurable converter power circuit can be configured as one of aninput power converting channel, and output power converting channel, ora bi-directional bus-compatible power channel by configuring sets of themultiple switches as either open or closed. A power manager includes atleast one reconfigurable power circuit connected to a device port andconnected to a power bus. The reconfigurable converter power circuit canbe configured to connect the device port to the power bus. Thereconfigurable converter power circuit can be reconfigured for threedifferent functions: input power signal voltage conversion, output powersignal voltage conversion, and input or output power signal with novoltage conversion. A power node includes a first power device port andsecond power device port and a reconfigurable converter power circuitconnected to the first power device port and to the second power deviceport. The reconfigurable converter power circuit can be configured toconnect the first and second power device ports. The reconfigurableconverter power circuit can be reconfigured for three differentfunctions: first power device port to second power device port signalvoltage conversion, second power device port to first power device portsignal voltage conversion, and no voltage conversion between first powerdevice port and second power device port.

The Related Art

Portable power manager devices are used to scavenge DC power fromexternal power devices, i.e. DC power sources and energy storage devicessuch as rechargeable DC batteries. The scavenged power received fromexternal DC power and energy sources is used to power a power busoperating on the portable power manager. External power devices thatneed power, i.e. DC power loads and or energy storage devices such asrechargeable DC batteries are interfaced to the power bus to draw powerfrom the power bus.

Conventional power managers include a plurality of device portsconnected to an internal DC power bus. An external DC power device isconnected to a device port. Typically each device port includes a directconnect power channel usable to directly connect an external powerdevice connected to a device port to the power bus without voltageconversion. In conventional power managers direct connect power channelsinclude a switch, operable by a digital processor operating on the powermanager, to directly connect an external DC power device to the powerbus or to disconnect the external power device from the power bus.

Conventional portable power manager devices use a fixed bus voltageselected to match the operating voltage of most of the external DC powerdevices that will be powered by or recharged by the power manger. Thuswhen the power manager is expected to be used to power 12 VDC devicesits bus voltage operating range might be set at 12 to 15 VDC. Thuswhenever an external DC power device has an operating voltage that ismatched to the bus voltage, that external power device can be connectedto the DC power bus over the direct connect power channel as long asother criteria favor the connection. Thus each device port includes adirect connect power channel which is bidirectional and can be used toreceive input power from an external power device or to deliver outputpower to an external power device as long as the external power deviceis compatible with the bus voltage.

In conventional portable power managers each device port also may beassociated with a power converting power channel that includes either aninput DC to DC power converter or an output DC to DC power converter andat least one switch operable by the digital processor operating on thepower manager to connect an external DC power device to the power busover the power converter channel or to disconnect the external DC powerdevice from the power bus or to prevent the connection as needed. Incases where an external DC power device is a non-bus compatible DC poweror energy source usable to scavenge input power; the external device isconnected to the power bus over a power converting channel that includesan input power converter. In cases where an external DC power device isa non-bus compatible DC power load or rechargeable energy storage devicethat needs to be powered, the external device is connected to the powerbus over an output power DC to DC converter.

Examples of conventional portable power managers are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 8,775,846, entitled Portable Power Manager; U.S. Pat. No.8,638,011, entitled Portable Power Manager Operating Methods; and U.S.Pat. No. 8,633,619, entitled Power Managers and Methods for OperatingPower Managers all to Robinson et al. describing portable power managerdevices and operating methods. In these examples the power managerdevices include six device ports that can each be connected to a powerbus or disconnected from the power bus by operating switches under thecontrol or a digital process or CPU. The power bus operates at a fixedbus voltage which can vary slightly over a range. All six device portsinclude a direct connect bidirectional power channel that extends fromthe power bus to the device port. Each direct connect power channelincludes a switch operable by the digital processor. Thus any one of thesix device ports can be connected to the power bus over a direct connectpower channel when an external power device connected to the device portis a bus voltage compatible device and this includes any DC powersource, DC power load, or rechargeable battery that can be operated atthe bus compatible voltage.

The device disclosed by Robinson et al. includes a total of three DC toDC power converters with one power converter arranged as an input powerconverter and two power converters arranged as output power converters.More specifically the input power converter is shared by two input portsand each of the two output power converters is shared by two outputports. One problem with this configuration is that while there are sixdevice ports only three of the six device ports can use one of the threeDC to DC power converters at the same time. More specifically only oneinput device port can be connected to the power bus over an input powerconverting channel and only two output device ports can be connected tothe power bus over an output power converting channel at the same time.In practice this can result in situations where only three device portsor at least less than all six device ports can be utilized.

This problem can be solved by providing an input power convertingchannel and an output power converting channel between each device portand the power bus; however, such a device is more costly and increasesthe weight and device package size. Meanwhile there is a need in the artto decrease the cost weight and package size of conventional portablepower managers.

Another problem with conventional portable power managers that use afixed bus voltage is that the fixed power manager bus voltage tends tolimit the type of external DC power devices that it can be used with.Specifically a portable power manager having a fixed 12 VDC bus voltageis best suited to scavenge power for external power devices that operateat 12 VDC. However, for the reasons stated above, the same conventionalportable power manager is not as effective in an environment where mostexternal power devices that need to be powered by the power bus operateat 48 VDC. Thus there is a need in the art to provide a power managerthat can operate at different bus voltages depending in part on theoperating voltage of external DC power devices that need to be connectedto the power bus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems with conventional power managers described above areovercome by the present invention which includes a novel power mangerconfiguration and operating methods.

A reconfigurable power circuit (400) includes a first electricalconnection interface (271) and a second electrical connection interface(272). A one-way DC to DC power converter (220) includes an inputterminal (222) for receiving input power at a first power amplitude andan output terminal (224) for delivering output power at a second poweramplitude. A plurality of converter channel legs (243, 245, 247, and249) is arranged as three different conductive pathways including afirst bidirectional current flow path (234, 400 a) that extends from thefirst electrical connection interface to the second electricalconnection interface. In one embodiment the first bidirectional currentflow path (234) does not pass through the DC to DC power converter anddoes not charge input and output bulk capacitors (225, 226). In anotherembodiment, the first bidirectional current flow path (400 a) passesthrough the one-way DC to DC power converter from the input terminalthereof to the output terminal thereof while the DC to DC powerconverter is configured with a zero-voltage conversion set point. Thefirst bidirectional current flow path (400 a) also charges input andoutput bilk capacitors.

A second, one-way current flow path (232) extends from the firstelectrical connection interface to the input terminal (222) through theone-way DC to DC power converter (220) to the output terminal (224) andfrom the output terminal to the second electrical connection interface.A third one-way current flow path (230) extending from the secondelectrical connection interface to the input terminal (222) through theone-way DC to DC power converter (220) to the output terminal (224) andfrom the output terminal to the first electrical connection interface.

At least one configurable switch disposed along each one of theplurality of converter channel legs. Closing one or more of theconfigurable switches and opening one or more others of the configurableswitches enables exclusive current flow along one of the firstbidirectional current flow path (234, 400 a), the second, one-waycurrent flow path (232), and the third one-way current flow path (230)The reconfigurable power circuit includes four channel legs (243, 245,247, and 249) with one configurable switch (253, 255, 257, and 259)disposed along each channel leg. Exclusive current flow any one of thefirst bidirectional current flow path (234), the second, one-way currentflow path (232) or the third one-way current flow path (230) can beestablished by closing at two or three of the four configurable switchesand by opening two or one other of the four configurable switches.

The reconfigurable power circuit includes one or more input currentsensors (262) and or one or more input voltage sensors (264) formeasuring input current or voltage amplitude at either side or the inputinterface (222) or the output interface (224) or at either one of thefirst electrical and second electrical connection interface points. Thereconfigurable power circuit includes one or more output current sensors(265) and or one or more output voltage sensors (267) for measuringinput voltage amplitude or output voltage amplitude at either side orthe input interface (222) or the output interface (224) or at either oneof the first electrical and second electrical connection interfacepoints.

The reconfigurable power circuit can be included in a power managerdevice (500, 1000) configured with one or both of first electricalconnection interface (271) and the second electrical connectioninterface (272) as a device port and operated to exchange power betweentwo external DC power devices each connected to a different one of thedevice ports. Alternately, the first electrical connection interface(271) is configured as a device port and the second electricalconnection interface (272) electrically interfaced with a DC power bus(110). In an embodiment a plurality of reconfigurable power circuits isinterfaced with a DC power bus at second electrical interface and thefirst electrical interface of each of the plurality of reconfigurablepower circuits is configured as a device port. In operation, DC power isexchanged between external DC power device interfaced with the deviceports and the DC power bus. A primary device channel (153) iselectrically interfaced with the DC power bus. The primary devicechannel is a bidirectional non power converting channel. A primarydevice port (143) electrically interfaced with the primary devicechannel.

The one-way DC to DC power converter (220) is operable by an electroniccontroller to receive input power at a first input power voltageamplitude at the input terminal (222) and deliver output power from theoutput terminal (224) at second output voltage amplitude, different fromthe first input voltage amplitude. Alterably the one-way DC to DC powerconverter is operable by the electronic controller to receive inputpower at a first input current amplitude at the input terminal (222) anddeliver output power from the output terminal (224) at second outputcurrent amplitude, wherein the second output current amplitude is lessthan the first input current amplitude.

A power distribution system (1000) includes a DC power bus (110) and aplurality of the reconfigurable power circuits (400 a, 400 b). The firstelectrical connection interface (271) of each of the plurality ofreconfigurable power circuits is configured as a first device port (141,142) and the second electrical connection interface (272) of each of theplurality of the reconfigurable power circuits is interfaced with a DCpower bus (110). A primary device channel (153) has a first end thereofterminated by a primary device port (143) and a second end thereofelectrically interfaced with the DC power bus with a configurable switch(261) disposed along the primary device channel. A digital dataprocessor (120) is electrically interfaced with a memory module, witheach of the device ports (141, 142, 143) and with all of thecontrollable switches corresponding with all of the reconfigurable powercircuits. The digital data processor is also electrically interfacedwith the one-way DC to DC power converter of each of the plurality ofreconfigurable power circuits. At least one sensor is electricallyinterfaced with the digital data processor and is positioned to measureone of an instantaneous input power amplitude and an instantaneousoutput power amplitude either at the DC power bus or corresponding withmeasurement points corresponding with any of the plurality ofreconfigurable circuits. An energy management schema program is operatedon the digital data processor. The system operates to autonomouslyexchange power between at least two external DC power deviceselectrically interfaced with any one of the first device port (141, 142)and the primary device port (143).

A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) module (512) can be operated bythe digital data processor to manage input power from a time variablevoltage source such as a solar or wind power generation device. The MPPTmodule operates to provide current attenuation and voltage conversionset points to the one what DC to DC power converter to converts variablevoltage input power to substantially non-variable voltage output power.

An operating method for the reconfigurable circuit for a singlereconfigurable circuit that include a device port at each electricalinterface point includes evaluating, by the energy management schema, DCpower characteristics electrical interface points. The method ma usemeasuring a power condition by one or more sensors or receiving powercharacteristics data from one or more of the two external DC powerdevices. The method includes selecting, by the energy management schema,based on the DC power characteristic evaluation, one external DC powerdevice as a power source and another external DC power device as a powerload. The energy management schema then determines, based on the DCpower characteristic evaluation, a DC to DC voltage conversion settingfor operating the one-way DC to DC power converter and selects aconfiguration of the reconfigurable power circuit that corresponds withthe DC to DC voltage conversion setting. The configuration of thereconfigurable power circuit includes any one of the first bidirectionalcurrent flow path between the device ports, the second, one-way currentflow path extending from the first device port to an input terminal ofthe one-way DC to DC power converter through the one-way DC to DC powerconverter to an output terminal of the one-way DC to DC power converterto the second device port or the third one-way current flow pathextending from the second device port to the input terminal through theone-way DC to DC power converter to the output terminal and from theoutput terminal to the first device port.

These and other aspects and advantages will become apparent when theDescription below is read in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention will best be understood from adetailed description of the invention and example embodiments thereofselected for the purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power manager according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary powermanager according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary cableassembly according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power manager according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power manager according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power manager according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power manager according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary flow diagram depicting a non-limitingexemplary power manager operating mode according to one aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9a depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary reconfigurable power converter circuit according to one aspectof the present invention.

FIG. 9b depicts an alternative exemplary schematic diagram of anon-limiting exemplary reconfigurable power converter circuit accordingto one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power manager that includes two reconfigurable powerconverting circuits according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of a non-limitingexemplary power node according to one aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The following definitions are used throughout, unless specificallyindicated otherwise:

TERM DEFINITION External A DC power load, a DC power source, or are-chargeable Power DC battery. Device Energy An energy managementschema includes various programs, Management firmware algorithms, andpolicy elements operating on a Schema digital data processor to receiveinput power into a power manager from one or more device ports and todistribute output to external power devices connected to one or moredevice ports.

Item Number List

The following item numbers are used throughout, unless specificallyindicated otherwise.

# DESCRIPTION 100 Power manager 110 DC power bus 112 Power bus powersensor module 114 Network communication interface device 116 Internalbattery 120 Digital data processor 122 Memory module 130 Communicationchannel 141 First converter device port 142 Second converter device port143 Primary device port 151 First reconfigurable converter power circuit152 Second reconfigurable converter power circuit 153 Primary powerchannel 161 Secondary external DC power device 162 Secondary external DCpower device 163 Primary external DC power device 170 Power mangerenclosure 172 Enclosure side wall 174 Enclosure top wall 176 Physicalconnector 177 Physical connector 178 Physical connector 180 Shieldedcable 181 Distal end of cable 183 Proximal end of cable 184 Cable gland186 Cable conductive elements 200 Power manager enclosure 210 Convertercircuit power sensor module 211 Converter circuit power sensor module212 Primary channel power sensing module 220, 221 One-way DC to DC powerconverter 222 Power converter input terminal 222a Power converter inputterminal 222b Power converter input terminal 224 Power converter outputterminal 224a Power converter output terminal 224b Power converteroutput terminal 225 Input bulk capacitor 225a Input bulk capacitor 225bInput bulk capacitor 227 Output bulk capacitor 227a Output bulkcapacitor 227b Output bulk capacitor 230 Power converting output powerchannel 231 Power converting output conductive pathway 232 Powerconverting input power channel 233 Power converting input conductivepathway 234 Bus compatible power channel 235 Bus compatible conductivepathway 243 Converter channel leg 243a Converter channel leg 243bConverter channel leg 245 Converter channel leg 245a Converter channelleg 245b Converter channel leg 247 Converter channel leg 247a Converterchannel leg 247b Converter channel leg 249 Converter channel leg 249aConverter channel leg 249b Converter channel leg 251 Primary leg 253First configurable switch 253a First configurable switch 253b Firstconfigurable switch 255 Second configurable switch 255a Secondconfigurable switch 255b Second configurable switch 257 Thirdconfigurable switch 257a Third configurable switch 257b Thirdconfigurable switch 259 Fourth configurable switch 259a Fourthconfigurable switch 259b Fourth configurable switch 261 Primaryconfigurable switch 262 Input current sensor module 262a Input currentsensor module 262b Input current sensor module 264 Input voltage sensormodule 264a Input voltage sensor module 264b Input voltage sensor module265 Output current sensor module 265a Output current sensor module 265bOutput current sensor module 267 Output voltage sensor module 267aOutput voltage sensor module 267b Output voltage sensor module 271 Firstelectrical connection interface 271a First electrical connectioninterface 271b First electrical connection interface 272 Secondelectrical connection interface 272a Second electrical connectioninterface 272b Second electrical connection interface 300 Wire assembly400 Reconfigurable power circuit 400a Reconfigurable power circuit 400bReconfigurable power circuit 401 Reconfigurable power circuit 500 Powernode 510 Electronic controller 512 (MPPT) module 514 Communicationinterface device 520 Battery 530 First power device port 532 Secondpower device port 540 First power device 542 Second power device 550First device port power sensor module 552 Second device port powersensor module 560 Power node communication channel 570 Power nodeenclosure

Exemplary System Architecture

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary, non-limiting power manager (100)according to the present invention is shown in schematic view. The powermanager (100) includes a digital data processor (120) and an associatedmemory module (122). The digital data processor (120) includes aprogrammable logic device operating an energy management schema programand carrying out logical operations such as communicating with externalDC power devices (161, 162, 163), connected to device ports (141, 142,143), managing the memory module (122) to store and recall data, readingsensor signals from power sensors, altering an operating voltage of a DCpower bus (110), and operating one or more reconfigurable power circuitsand related power channel control devices to establish a power networkoperable to exchange power from one external DC power device to another.

Variable Voltage DC Power Bus

Power manager (100) includes a variable voltage DC power bus (110). Anoperating voltage of the DC power bus (110) can be set by the digitaldata processor (120). In an example operating mode, the operatingvoltage of the DC power bus (110) is matched to an operating voltage ofan external DC power device (163) interfaced with a primary device port(143). The primary device port (143) is connected to the power bus (110)over a primary power channel that does not include a power converter.Accordingly the operating voltage of the primary external DC powerdevice (163) is always used to establish the operating voltage of the DCpower bus (110).

Power manager (100) includes a bus power sensor module (112) inelectrical communication with DC power bus (110) and in communicationdigital data processor (120) and operable to measure and reportinstantaneous DC voltage at the DC power bus (110) to the digital dataprocessor (120). Bus power sensor module (112) may determine one or moreof instantaneous power, instantaneous voltage, and/or instantaneouscurrent amplitude at the DC power bus (110).

Device Ports

The power manager (100) described below includes three device ports;however, any practical implementation that includes two or more deviceports is within the scope of the present invention. In each embodiment,the power manager includes a single primary device port (143) and one ormore secondary device ports (141, 142). Each device port provides awired electrical connection interface over which an external DC powerdevice (161, 162, and 163) can be electrically interfaced to the powermanager by a wire connection that at least includes a power channel.Each device port (141, 142, 143) also includes a communication channelor interface such as SMBus or the like operable to provide a digitalcommunication link between the digital data processor (120), and anexternal DC power device electrically interfaced with each device port.Each device port (141, 142, and 143) includes a power channel operableto exchange a power signal between the DC power bus (110) and anexternal DC power device electrically interfaced to the device port. Thecommunication channel can be a wired communication channel or a wirelesscommunication channel. Also the power channel may include an inductiveportion for power exchange from the device port to an external DC powerdevice across a none-wire medium.

Cable Gland

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 in an exemplary, non-limiting, embodiment powermanager (200) includes a sealed and substantially weather and dust tightpower manager device enclosure (170) including a plurality of enclosureside walls (172) an enclosure top wall (174) and an opposing enclosurebottom wall opposed to the top wall (174). The enclosure (170) enclosescomponents of the power manager (100) including the digital dataprocessor (120), the DC power bus (110), and the power circuits andchannels (151, 152, and 153). In a non-limiting embodiment, the deviceports (141, 142, and 143) are connected to distal ends (181) of wirecables (180) that pass through the enclosure side walls (172) at aproximal end.

In a preferred embodiment each device port comprises a first physicalconnector or plug (176, 177, and 178) suitable for connecting to anexternal power device connected to the distal end (181) of wire or cable(180). Each first physical connector or plug is suitable for mating withany external DC power device having a comparable second physicalconnector or plug. In a preferred embodiment external DC power devicesare easily connected to or disconnected from any one of the firstphysical connectors to electrically interface with the power manager.

Referring to FIG. 3 which depicts a wire assembly (300), each deviceport includes a cable gland (184) passing through one of the enclosureside walls (172). The wire cables (180) each preferably comprise ashielded cable wherein a proximal end (183) of each wire cable passesthrough a different cable gland (184) and a distal end (181) of each thewire cables is terminated by a first physical connector (176, 177, and178). Each cable gland (184) passes through an aperture passing throughan enclosure side wall (172) and is attached to and mechanicallysupported by the enclosure side wall (172). Each wire cable (180)includes conductive elements (186) enclosed by a cable shielding layerwhich is further enclosed by an electrically insulating cable outercovering. Some of the conductive elements (186) at the proximate end ofeach wire cable are electrically interfaced with one of the powerchannels (151, 152, and 153) which provide a conductive path to the DCpower bus (110). Some of the conductive elements (186) at the proximalend of each wire cable may be electrically interfaced with one of thecommunication channels (130). The conductive elements (186) at thedistal end (181) of each wire cable are electrically interfaced with adifferent first physical connector (141, 142, and 143) which includesone or more power channels and may include one or more wiredcommunication channels. Each cable (180) enters the cable gland (183)from outside the enclosure side wall (172) and the cable shielding layerand the electrically insulating cable outer covering the shielding layerare gripped by the cable gland (184) in a manner that electricallygrounds the cable shielding layer to a corresponding enclosure sidewall(172) and secures the distal end to the cable gland. A similar cablegland (184), cable and enclosure wall interface is disclosed in commonlyowned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/081,461 entitled Cable GlandAssembly by Long et al. filed on Mar. 25, 2016, which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

Communication Network

Referring now to FIG. 1 the power manager (100) includes a communicationnetwork (130). The communication channel (130) includes one or morenetwork or similar communication interface devices (114) and a pluralityof communication channels interconnecting various internal devices andmodules to the digital data processor (120) for digital communication.The communication channel (130) optionally includes additional networkcommunication interface devices (114) operable to communicate with otherpower managers, e.g. over a peer-to-peer network, as well as to gainaccess to a Wide Area Network (WAN), e.g. over a cellular networkinterface device, and or to communicate with WAN based devices such apolicy server, authentication module or the like, operating on one ormore WAN based servers. Each wireless network interface device (114) isconfigured to receive communication signals configured in a firstcommunication protocol structure and to translate the firstcommunication protocol signals to a second communication protocolstructure as needed to facilitate communication between devicesconfigured to use different communication protocols. The communicationchannels also may extend between internal modules of the power manager(100) without passing over the digital data processor (120) and mayinclude analog channels for exchanging analog signals including powersignals. Each device port (141, 142, and 143) is connected with thedigital data processor (120) over at least one communication networkchannel. Accordingly when an external power device is connected with anyone of the device ports the external DC power device joins thecommunication network established by the communication interface device(114) for communication with the digital data processor (120).

The communication channel (130) optionally includes a variety ofcommunication channel types, e.g. using different network protocols,suitable for digital data communications. The communication channeltypes may include analog signal conductors or the like for exchanginganalog signals between electronic modules operating on the power manager(100). The communication channel (130) is primarily a wiredcommunication network housed inside the enclosure (170). Wirelesscommunication channels are optionally provided such that in someembodiment's wireless communication channels are usable to communicatewith external DC power devices or with other power managers and withnetwork devices reachable on a Wide Area Network (WAN).

The various communication channel types may include one or more of awired network using a wire network communication protocol, e.g. the IEEE802.3 wired Local Area Networks (LAN) protocols which include Ethernetand Power over Ethernet (PoE), System Management Bus (SMBus), UniversalSerial Bus (USB), Recommended Standard 232 (RS232), or the like. Thevarious communication channel types may include wireless networks basedon any one of the IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)protocols which include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any one of the IEEE 802.11WLAN protocols, and one or more cellular network protocols e.g. 3G, 4G,LTE, etc.

Additionally, the communication channel (130) may include conductivepaths, wires or the like, for exchanging analog or digital signalsbetween electronic components of the power manager such as variousswitches, sensors, and power converters and the digital data processor(120). In particular, the communication channel (130) extends from thedigital data processor (120) to each controllable element of the powermanager (100) including switching elements (253, 255, 257, 259, 261),the DC power bus sensor (112), other power sensors (210, 211, and 212)and power converters (220, 221) to deliver control signals thereto andto receive sensor signals, or the like, therefrom. The control signalsinclude configuration and setting instructions for operating eachcontrollable element to receive and distribute power according to theenergy management schema. The communication channels extending to deviceports may comprise a one-wire identification interface configured toenable the digital data processor (120) to query a connected externalpower device (161, 162, and 163) for power characteristics information.

Power Manager Battery

The power manager (100) includes an optional internal rechargeablebattery (116). If present, the internal battery (116) provides power tothe digital data processor (120). The internal battery is a rechargeablebattery (116) that can be charged when the power manager (100) isoperably connected to a power source or external battery capable ofproviding charge. The internal battery (116) provides power to digitaldata processor (120), enabling the functioning of the power manager(100), when power sufficient for operation of the power manager is notavailable from a power source or rechargeable battery connected to adevice port (161, 162, 163).

Alternatively, power sensors (210, 212) are operable to detect anoperating voltage and or input power available from a connected externalpower source or rechargeable DC battery without any communication withthe external device and to use the available input power to operate thedigital data processor (120) or recharge the internal battery (116).

Primary Power Channel

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, power manager (100) includes a primarydevice port (143) which is electrically connectable to a primaryexternal DC power device (163) and a DC power bus (110). The primaryexternal DC power device (163) is any external DC power device that canbe connected to any one of the primary device port (143) or thesecondary device ports (141) or (142). The primary power channel (153)includes only one power channel extending from the primary device port(143) to the DC power bus (110) and is configurable a as bi-directionalpower channel operable as an input power channel or as an output powerchannel without voltage or power conversion and without currentattenuation.

Primary power channel (153) includes a bidirectional conductor orprimary leg (251) that extends between primary device port (143) and DCpower bus (110) and allows current flow either from the primary externalDC power device (163) to the DC power bus (110) or from the DC power bus(110) to the primary external DC power device (163). A primaryconfigurable switch (261) is disposed along primary leg (251) betweenthe primary device port (143) and DC power bus (110). Digital dataprocessor (120) is in communication with primary configurable switch(261) over the communication channel (130) and is operable to sendcontrol signals to the primary configurable switch (261). Digital dataprocessor (120) can set primary configurable switch (261) in an openposition to block flow of current over the primary leg (251) or in aclosed position to allow an input power signal to pass from primarydevice port (143) to DC power bus (110) or to allow an output powersignal to pass from power bus (110) to the primary external DC powerdevice (163) over the primary device port (110), thereby connectingprimary external DC power device (163) to DC power bus (110).

Primary power channel (153) optionally includes a primary channel powersensor module (212) associated with primary device port (143) and incommunication with digital data processor (120) over the communicationchannel (130). The primary channel power sensor module (212) isconfigured to measure power characteristics of power signals passingover the primary power channel (153) including one or more ofinstantaneous power amplitude, instantaneous voltage amplitude, andinstantaneous current amplitude and to report amplitude measurementresults to digital data processor (120).

Reconfigurable Converter Power Circuit

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4-7 the power manager (100) furtherincludes at least one and in the present embodiment two converter orsecondary device ports (141, 142) each of which is electricallyconnectable to a secondary external DC power device (161, 162). Eachsecondary external DC power device (161, 162) is any external DC powerdevice that can be connected to any one of the primary device port (143)or the secondary device ports (141) or (142). Each reconfigurable powercircuit (151, 152) extends between a different converter or device port(141, 142) and the DC power bus (110). Each reconfigurable power circuit(151, 152) is independently operated by the digital data processor (120)as needed to transfer power between a connected secondary external DCpower device (161, 162) and the DC power bus (110) or to transfer powerfrom the DC power bus (110) to the connected secondary external DC powerdevice (161, 162). Each converter device port (141, 142) includes acommunication channel, operably connectable to an external secondary DCpower device (161, 162) interfaced therewith. The communication channelis part of the communication channel (130), which enables communicationsbetween the digital data processor (120) and each of the secondaryexternal DC power device (161, 162) interfaced with a converter deviceport (141, 142).

The reconfigurable converter power circuits (151, 152) each include oneor more secondary power channels or conductors that extends from adifferent converter or secondary device port (141, 142) to the DC powerbus (110). Each secondary power channel includes a different one-way DCto DC power converter (220, 221) disposed between a corresponding deviceport and the DC power bus. Each reconfigurable converter power circuit(151, 152) includes power channel circuitry that is configurable toprovide any one of a one-way power converting input power channel (232),shown in FIG. 6, a one-way power converting output power channel (230),shown in FIG. 5, and a bidirectional power channel (234), shown in FIG.7 wherein the bidirectional power channel (234) is usable as an inputpower channel or an output power channel without voltage conversion.

Each reconfigurable converter power channel (151, 152) includes adifferent converter circuit power sensor module (210, 211). Eachconverter circuit power sensor module is disposed proximate to acorresponding converter device port (141, 142) in order to sense powercharacteristic of power signals either entering or exiting the converterdevice port (141, 142). Each converter circuit power sensor module is incommunication with the digital data processor (120) and is operable tomeasure power characteristics of a bidirectional power signal includingone or more of instantaneous power, instantaneous voltage, andinstantaneous current and to report measurement results to the digitaldata processor (120).

Each controllable one-way DC to DC voltage or power converter (220, 221)includes an input terminal (222) and an output terminal (224). Each DCto DC power converter (220, 221) is one-way because a power signal canonly be power converted or current modulated when the power signal isdirected from the input terminal (222) to the output terminal (224).Specifically, a power signal entering through the input terminal (222)is power converted and or current modulated according to powerconversion and amplitude modulation settings received from the digitaldata processor (120). The power converted output signal exiting outputterminal (224) has one of a different voltage or a different currentamplitude, or both and may have a different total power amplitude ascompared to the input power signal.

The DC to DC power converter (220) can be configured to convert in inputsignal voltage to a different output signal voltage by either steppingthe input voltage up or stepping the input voltage down as required toadjust the output signal voltage exiting from the output terminal (224)to a desired voltage amplitude. Optionally the DC to DC power converteris further configured to modulate the current amplitude of the inputpower signal as required to adjust the output signal current amplitudeexiting from the output terminal (224) to a desired current amplitude.Generally the power converter operates to modulate current amplitudepassing over the power converter between substantially zero and amaximum available current amplitude, i.e. the entire instantaneouscurrent amplitude of the input signal is passed through the powerconverter without modulation.

In an exemplary operating mode, the digital data processor (120)determines if an external DC power device connected to a converter orsecondary device port (161, 162) is a DC power source, a rechargeable DCbattery, or a DC power load, either by communicating with the externalDC power device to determine a device type and other information such asthe operating voltage range, state of charge, or the like, or bydetermining an instantaneous voltage based on a sensor signal receivedfrom the converter circuit power sensor module (210). Once the devicetype and voltage requirements of the device are determined the energymanagement schema operating on the digital data processor makes adetermination about whether to connect the external power device to theDC power bus or not and further makes a determination about how toconfigure the relevant reconfigurable circuit (151, 152) to make theconnection.

Each reconfigurable converter power circuit (151, 152) includes fourconfigurable switches (253), (255), (257), and (259). Each configurableswitch is operable to direct a power signal over a desired conductiveflow path or to prevent the power signal from flowing over theconductive flow path. Digital data processor (120) is in communicationwith each of the four configurable switches via the communicationchannel (130) and is operable to send an independent control signal toeach switch. Each configurable switch (253, 255, 257, and 259) can betoggled to an open (off) position, to prevent current flow across theswitch or toggled to a closed (on) position to allow current flow acrossthe switch. Similarly the configurable switch (261) used in the primarypower channel (153) can be toggled to an open (off) position, to preventcurrent flow across the switch or toggled to a closed (on) position toallow current flow across the switch.

In an exemplary embodiment, configurable switches (253, 255, 257, and259) of the reconfigurable power circuits (251, 253) and theconfigurable switch (261) of the primary power channel (153) are singlepole single throw type switches. Alternatively, the switches can beimplemented with multiple throws, multiple poles. The switches caninclude Field Effect Transistors (FETs), e.g. MOSFETs, Power FETs,e-MOSFETs, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, each reconfigurable converter power circuit(151, 152) includes multiple power channels (230, 232, and 234) eachcomprising multiple converter channel legs (243, 245, 247, and 249). Asshown in the Figures, bidirectional current flow over each leg isindicated by solid double-headed arrows, e.g. as shown on the primarypower channel (153) and one-way current flow over each leg is indicatedby solid single headed arrows, e.g. as shown on converter power circuit(230). Converter device port (141, 142), DC power bus (110), switches(253, 255, 257, and 259) and one-way DC to DC power converter (220) areinterconnected by the converter channel legs (243, 245, 247, and 249) toprovide various current flow paths or circuit configurations as may berequired to distribute power to or receive power from an externalconverter power device connected to a secondary device port.

Reconfigurable converter power circuits (151, 152) are configurable totransfer power signals between converter or secondary device ports (141,142) and the DC power bus (110) in either direction i.e., from converterdevice port (141, 142) to DC power bus (110) or from DC power bus (110)to converter device port (141, 142) with or without power conversion byconfiguring the state of each of the configurable switches (253, 255,257, and 259) in patterns of open and closed positions and byconfiguring the state of each DC to DC power converter (120) for powerconverting or non-power converting modes. Patterns of open and closedpositions and of on and off configurations are set forth in Table 1.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, patterns of configurable switch open andclosed positions, power converter on and off configurations, andcorresponding electrical current flow paths are shown for each of themultiple power channels (230, 232, and 234). Blackened circles representclosed switches, bolded power converter (220) outlines represent “on”state of the power converter, and bolded arrows represent activeconverter channel legs, i.e. channel legs over which electrical currentcan flow given the specified patterns of open and closed switchpositions and power converter setting.

Primary power channel (153) is configured as an input/output powerchannel by closing primary configurable switch (261). In this case aninput power signal received from a primary external DC power source orrechargeable battery connected to the primary device port (143) isdirected to the DC power bus (110) without power conversion. Likewisewhen a primary external power load or rechargeable DC battery to becharged is connected to primary device port (143) an output power signalreceived from the DC power bus (110) is directed to primary device port(143) without power conversion.

Referring now to FIG. 5, each reconfigurable converter power circuit(151, 152) can be configured as a power converting output power channel(230) comprising power converting output conductive pathway (231) byopening switches (255) and (257), closing switches (253) and (259), andconfiguring the one-way DC to DC power converter (220) for the requiredpower conversion. In this case an output power signal received from theDC power bus (110) is directed to the input terminal (222) of DC to DCpower converter (220). The DC to DC power converter is configured toperform whatever voltage conversion is required to convert the outputpower signal to a voltage that is compatible with powering whateversecondary external DC power device is connected to the correspondingsecondary device port (141, 142). Additionally if needed, the DC to DCpower converter (220) can be operated to modulate current amplitude ofthe output power signal being voltage converted. The power convertedoutput power signal is directed from the output terminal (224) of the DCto DC power converter (220) to converter device port (141, 142). In thisconfiguration, power characteristics of the output power signal aremonitored by the converter circuit power sensor module (210) and thepower characteristics at the DC power bus (110) are monitored by thepower bus sensor module (112).

Referring now to FIG. 6, each reconfigurable converter power circuit(151, 152) can be configured as a power converting input power channel(232), comprising power converting input conductive pathway (233), byclosing switches (255) and (257), opening switches (253) and (259), andconfiguring the DC to DC power converter (220) to make the necessaryvoltage conversion. In this case an input power signal received from asecondary external DC power source or rechargeable battery connected toone of the device port (141, 142) is directed to the input terminal(222) of the DC to DC power converter (220). The DC to DC powerconverter is configured to perform whatever voltage conversion isrequired to convert the input power signal to a bus compatible voltageand the converted input power signal is passed to the DC power bus(110). Additionally, if needed, the DC to DC power converter (220) canbe operated to modulate the current amplitude of the input power signalbeing voltage converted. The power converted input power signal isdelivered from the output terminal (224) to DC power bus (110). In thisconfiguration, power characteristics of the input power signal aremonitored by the converter circuit power sensor module (210) and thepower characteristics at the DC power bus (110) are monitored by thepower bus sensor module (112).

Referring now to FIG. 7, each reconfigurable converter power circuit(151, 152) can be configured to a bus-compatible power channel (234),comprising bus-compatible conductive pathway (235), by opening switches(257) and (259), closing switches (253) and (255), and turning offone-way DC to DC power converter (220). In this configuration the powerchannel (234) is bi-directional such that any external power device thathas a bus compatible operating voltage can be connected to the DC powerbus (110) without power conversion. In the case where the secondarypower device connected to a secondary device port is an external DCpower source or a rechargeable DC battery having available chargedstored thereon, an input power signal can be directed to the DC powerbus (110) without power conversion. Conversely when the secondary powerdevice connected to a secondary device port is an external DC power loador rechargeable battery than can accept charging power, an output powersignal can be directed from the DC power bus (110) to the connectedexternal power device without power conversion.

Table 1 includes configuration of the configurable switches and of DC toDC power converter (220) corresponding with the three configurations ofthe reconfigurable converter power circuits (151, 152) described above.

TABLE 1 Reconfigurable converter power circuit (151, 152) power channelconfiguration Power control element Configuration Power convertingoutput power Switch 1 (255) Open channel (230) (FIG. 5) Switch 2 (253)Closed Switch 3 (259) Closed Switch 4 (257) Open Power converter (220)On Power converting input power Switch 1 (255) Closed channel (232)(FIG. 6) Switch 2 (253) Open Switch 3 (259) Open Switch 4 (257) ClosedPower converter (220) On Bus compatible power Switch 1 (255) Closedchannel (234) FIG. (7) Switch 2 (253) Closed Switch 3 (259) Open Switch4 (257) Open Power converter (220) Off Initial State Switch 1 (255) OpenSwitch 2 (253) Open Switch 3 (259) Open Switch 4 (257) Open Powerconverter (220) Off

External Power Devices

External DC power devices can be connected to any one of the deviceports described above. An external DC power device includes a primaryexternal DC power device (163) interfaced with primary device port (143)and one or more secondary external DC power devices (161, 162), eachinterfaced with a different converter device port (141, 142). Externalpower devices include DC power loads, DC power sources and rechargeableDC batteries. Rechargeable DC batteries can be used as a DC power sourceduring discharge or as a DC power load or charging load during charging.Generally a DC power load has minimum power amplitude or minimum powerload required to operate the power load. In addition the DC power loadcharacteristics may include a peak power load required during someoperating states. For DC power loads, the energy management schema isconfigured to at least allocate the minimum power and if theinstantaneous power available from the DC power bus does not provide atleast the required minimum power load the DC power load is not connectedto the power bus. Otherwise each power load connected to a device portis connected to the power bus and allocated at least the minimum powerload.

In some instances, a DC power load includes a rechargeable batteryinstalled therein and it is the rechargeable battery that is interfacedto a device port and not the power load. In this case the energymanagement schema classifies the connected power device as arechargeable battery and manages power allocation to the rechargeablebattery and not to the power load.

For DC power sources, and rechargeable DC batteries that have afavorable state of charge (SoC) the energy management schema isconfigured to select the best available power source or rechargeable DCbatteries to power the DC power bus and to connect at least one powersource to the DC power bus, however two or more power sources can beconnected to the power bus at the same time. In a particularconfiguration, two or more power sources are connected to the power busat the same time and a current of the power bus is an aggregate of acurrent of each of the connected power sources. For rechargeable DCbatteries that have an unfavorable state of charge, these devices aretreated as charging loads and the energy management schema is operableto direct any unallocated power, e.g. not allocated to a DC power load,to one or more rechargeable DC batteries that have an unfavorable stateof charge. However in this case there is no minimum power allocation fora charging load.

More generally, the digital data processor and energy management schemaoperating thereon are operable to select which external power devices toconnect to the DC power bus or to disconnect from the DC power bus e.g.after communicating with the external power device or in response tochanges in the power network. Additionally the digital data processorand energy management schema are operable to deliver power to or receivepower from any one of the external DC power devices connected to any oneof the device ports as warranted by instantaneous characteristics of thepower network. As such the power manager and all the connected externalDC power devices comprise a power network for exchanging power from oneexternal power device to another while also consuming power to operatethe components of the power manager and due to power losses due to powerconversions being performed by the DC to DC power converters. Moreover,the power network can be changed when a user disconnects one external DCpower device and replaces it with another. Additionally as chargingpower is delivered to connected rechargeable DC batteries and or removedfrom connected rechargeable DC batteries the state of charge of eachconnected DC battery is changed thereby changing instantaneous powerconditions of the entire power network.

External DC power sources can include any source of DC power, forexample: a solar blanket or fuel cell; a vehicle battery or the like; awind, water, or mechanical driven power generator; an AC power gridsource connected to a device port over an external AC to DC powerconvertor; a DC power source connected to a device port over an externalDC to DC power convertor; or the like, as long as the input DC powervoltage is either compatible with the instantaneous DC voltage of the DCpower bus or can be converted to a bus compatible voltage by one ofpower converters of the reconfigurable converter power circuits (151,152).

Power loads can be connected to the DC power bus (110) to receive powertherefrom as long as the power load is either compatible with theinstantaneous DC voltage of the DC power bus or can be converted to abus compatible voltage by one of power converters of the reconfigurableconverter power circuits (151, 152). Typical power loads include a DCpower device such as most battery operated or DC powered portabledevices, such as computers, audio systems including hand held radios,telephones or smart phones, other telecommunications equipment,instruments including navigation systems, weapons, systems, night visionand other photo sensing devices, medical devices, power tools, DClighting, vehicle power loads, or the like.

Rechargeable DC batteries can be connected to the DC power bus (110) toreceive power therefrom or deliver power thereto as long as rechargeablebattery voltage is either compatible with the instantaneous DC voltageof the DC power bus or can be converted to a bus compatible voltage byone of power converters of the reconfigurable converter power circuits(151, 152). A rechargeable DC battery can be discharged to the DC powerbus as a power source or charged by the DC power bus (110) whenunallocated power is available therefrom.

As noted above the DC voltage of the DC power bus is matched to theoperating voltage of whatever external DC power device is connected tothe primary device port (143). Thus according to one aspect of thepresent invention a user can connect a DC power source to the primarydevice port to receive all the source input power without powerconversion in order to avoid power converting an input power source andtherefore avoiding power conversion losses due to power converting theinput power source.

Exemplary Operating Modes

The following Examples of operational modes are provided to illustratecertain aspects of the present invention and to aid those of skill inthe art in practicing the invention. These Examples are in no way to beconsidered to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

First Exemplary Operating Mode

In a first exemplary, non-limiting operating mode, at least two externalDC power devices (161, 162, 163) are connected to device ports of apower manager (100) but the device ports are not yet connected to thepower bus (110) over a corresponding power circuit (151, 152, 153).

Referring now to FIG. 8, in a step (805) the digital processor (120),according to an energy management schema program operating thereon,polls each device port using communication channels (130) to determineif an external power device is connected to the device port.

In a step (810) the digital data processor determines a device type foreach external DC power device connected to a device port.

In a step (815) the digital data processor determines an operatingvoltage range and other operating and or power characteristics of eachexternal DC power device connected to a device port.

In one non-limiting operating mode related to steps (805) through (815),the device type and the other power characteristics of each external DCpower device (161, 162, 163) are read from digital data stored on theexternal DC power device or stored on a smart cable or other digitaldata processor or data storage device reachable by the digital processor(120).

In another non-limiting operating mode related to steps (805) through(815), the device type and the other power characteristics aredetermined at least in part from information obtainable from one or moredevice port sensors (210, 211, 212) and/or from information stored onthe memory module (122). In one example operating mode the device typeand other power characteristics are based on device port sensorinformation such as signal voltage, current amplitude, and/or poweramplitude measurements which can be measured without connecting thedevice port to the power bus. In addition the energy management schemais operable to compare the device port sensor information with powercharacteristics of various external DC power device types that arestored in a look-up table, or the like, on the memory module (122). As aresult of the comparison of the sensor information and look-up tabledata the energy management schema can determine a device type and thepower characteristics of the external DC power device without readingdigital data from the connected external power device.

In a step (820) the digital data processor (120) uses the energymanagement schema to select an operating voltage of the DC power bus(110). In all cases where an external power device (163) is connected tothe primary device port (143), the operating voltage of the DC power bus(110) is matched to the operating voltage of the primary external DCpower device (163). In cases where there is no primary external DC powerdevice (163) connected to the primary device port (143), a power networkis still established as long as the power network includes at least twosecondary external DC power devices (161, 162) with each DC power deviceconnected to a different secondary converter device port (141) or (142).However if a power network is not established or if a more efficientconfiguration is available, an error message may be generated by thedigital data processor to instruct a user to connect at least oneexternal DC power device to the primary device port.

In a step (825) the digital data processor (120), using the energymanagement schema, determines a device priority, if any, for eachexternal DC power device. The device priority may be read from theexternal power device or may be assigned by the energy management schemaaccording one or more default priority settings and/or instantaneousnetwork conditions.

In a step (830) the digital data processor (120) determines theinstantaneous input power amplitude and the instantaneous output powerload demand of the present power network.

In a step (835) the digital data processor (120) allocates availableinput power to one or more power loads connected to a device port andallocates any unallocated power to charge one or more rechargeable DCbatteries connected to a device port.

In a step (840) the digital data processor (120) determines how eachexternal DC power device will be connected to the DC power bus, e.g.over the primary power channel, or over one leg of one of thereconfigurable power channels (151, 153).

In a step (845) the digital data processor (120) determines any voltageconversions that need to be made in order to connect each secondarypower device (161, 162) to the DC power bus (110) and sets appropriatevoltage conversion settings for each of the DC to DC power converters(220, 221).

In a step (850) the digital data processor (120) operates one or more ofthe configurable switches (261) on the primary power channel (153) andor (253, 255, 257, and 259) on the reconfigurable power channels (151,151) as required to connect appropriate external DC power devices to thepower bus over one or more selected circuit legs and or to disconnectappropriate external DC power devices from the power bus as required toallocate power according to the power allocation plan established by theenergy management schema.

In a step (855) the above described steps are repeated at a configurablerefresh rate, for example a refresh rate of 20 to 100 msec with theexception that during the initial state prior to repeating step (805)some or all of the device ports are already connected to the DC powerbus (110), the type and power characteristics of each external powerdevice and the operating voltage of the DC power bus (110) already maybe known and some or all of the switch positions and DC to DC powerconversion settings can be maintained if warranted by the present stateof the power network.

In a step (860) the above described steps are repeated whenever there isa change in the network configuration, e.g. when a user physicallyconnects an external DC power device to or disconnects an external DCpower device from the power manager (100) or if the power bus sensormodule (112) detects a low bus voltage condition that is below athreshold operating DC power bus voltage.

As noted above, an external DC power load is allocated the full powerload demanded thereby unless the full power load allotment is notavailable. When the full power load allotment is not available, theexternal DC power load is disconnected from the DC power bus if it wasalready connected, or the external DC power load is not connected to thepower bus if it had not been previously connected.

Also as noted above: each external rechargeable DC battery ischaracterized either as a power source, from which stored energy isdrawn to power the DC power bus (110), or as an energy storage device,to which energy is delivered to increase the state of charge of therechargeable DC battery. However unlike power loads, rechargeable DCbatteries can be charged without allocating full charging power, e.g.they can be trickle charged. In other words rechargeable batteries canbe charged with whatever level of unallocated power amplitude isavailable, as long as the available power amplitude does not exceed thebatteries' maximum charging rate.

Thus the energy management schema operates to determine instantaneouslyavailable input power amplitude from all external DC power sourcesand/or rechargeable DC batteries that are connected to a device port andto determine an instantaneous output power demand or load required tomeet the full power load of all DC power loads connected to a deviceport. Thereafter the energy management schema operates to allocate afull power load to as many DC power loads as can be powered by theinstantaneously available power. Once all or as many of the power DCloads that can be powered have been allocated full power, all externalDC power loads that did not receive a power allocation are disconnectedfrom the power bus (110). Thereafter if there is any unallocated powerleft over, the unallocated power is distributed to one or morerechargeable batteries, if any, that are connected to device ports.Additionally, when there is insufficient input power available from apower source to power high priority power loads, the energy managementschema is operable to discharge one or more rechargeable DC batteriesconnected to device ports in order to power the high priority powerloads. In other words when additional input power is required to powerDC power loads, rechargeable DC batteries are used as a DC power sourceby discharging one or more rechargeable DC batteries to the DC power busin order to power DC power loads connected to device ports.Additionally, the energy management schema is operable to discharge oneor more rechargeable DC batteries connected to device ports in order tocharge other rechargeable batteries connected to device ports, e.g. tolevel the state of charge of all the rechargeable batteries connected todevice ports.

To select a power bus operating voltage, the digital data processor(120) polls the primary device port (143) to gather powercharacteristics of a connected primary power device (163). The digitaldata processor then sets an operating voltage of the DC power bus (110)to match the operating voltage of the primary external DC power device(163). In one example embodiment, the digital data processor (120)queries a look up table or the like stored in the associated memorymodule (122). The look-up table lists a plurality of discreet DC busvoltage operating voltages, including a default bus voltage operatingvoltage. The digital data processor then selects an operating voltage ofthe DC bus from the list of discreet operating voltages with theselected discreet operating voltage most closely matched to theoperating voltage of the primary external DC power device (163).

The preselected list of bus voltage operating points is chosen to matchthe operating voltage ranges of standard primary external DC powerdevices (163) that are commonly used with the power manager. In onenon-limiting example embodiment, the power manager is designed formilitary use and includes operating voltage ranges typical of hand heldor man-portable military devices and portable military batteries. Suchman-portable devices may include radios, computers, navigation systems,and instruments each having an operating voltage range centered on anyone of 6, 12, 24, 30, and 42 VDC. The operating voltage ranges of the DCto DC power converters (220, 221) are selected to provide voltageconversion over the operating voltage ranges of the standard primaryexternal DC power devices (163) that are commonly used with the powermanager which in the present non-limiting example embodiment is avoltage range of between 5 and 50 VDC; however different voltage ranges,including larger ranges, are usable without deviating from the presentinvention.

More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, any external DC powerdevice having an operating voltage range with its mid-point that fallsbetween 5 and 50 volts DC can be connected to the DC power bus over anyof the device ports (141, 142, and 143). In a preferred embodiment thepower converters (220, 221) are configured for making power conversionsover a voltage range of 5 to 50 VDC. Thus with the DC bus voltage set to5 VDC the power converters are capable of converting the 5 VDC busvoltage to any voltage in the range of 5 to 50 VDC at each secondarydevice port. Similarly with the DC bus voltage set to 50 VDC, the powerconverters are capable of converting the 50 VDC bus voltages to anyvoltage in the range of 5 to 50 VDC at each secondary device port. Inother embodiments, the power manager (100) can be constructed to operateat other bus voltage ranges depending on the application and theavailability of appropriate DC to DC power converters.

Exemplary Operating Mode for a First Network Configuration

Still referring to FIG. 8 and steps (805) through (860), during steps(805)-(815) the digital data processor (120) determines that a primaryexternal DC power device (163) interfaced with a primary device port(143) is a DC power source with an operating voltage approximatelycentered on 24 VDC, that a secondary external DC power device (161)connected to converter device port (141) is a rechargeable DC batterywith an operating voltage approximately centered on 12 VDC, and that asecondary external DC power device (162) connected to converter deviceport (142) is a DC power load having an operating voltage approximatelycentered around 32 VDC.

In steps (820) and (825) the energy management schema sets the power busDC operating voltage at 24 VDC and determines that the DC power sourceconnected to the primary device port (143) has the highest sourcepriority and that the DC power load connected to device port (142) hasthe highest load priority.

In steps (830) and (835) the energy management schema determines theinstantaneous input power available from the DC power source connectedto device port (143) as well as the instantaneous input power availablefrom the rechargeable DC battery connected to the device port (141). Theenergy management schema determines the instantaneous power load beingdemanded by the DC power load connected to the device port (142) andbased on the State of Charge (SoC) and energy storage capacity of therechargeable DC battery connected to the device port (141) determines aninstantaneous power load associated with the rechargeable DC battery.Thereafter the instantaneous input power is allocated first to the DCpower load connected to device port (142) because the DC power loads hasthe highest load priority, and second to recharge the rechargeable DCbattery connected to device port (141). If the instantaneous input poweramplitude meets or exceeds the instantaneous power load being demandedby the DC power load, the full instantaneous power load being demandedby the DC power load is allocated. If not, no power is allocated to bythe DC power load connected to the device port (142). If theinstantaneous input power amplitude exceeds the instantaneous power loadbeing demanded by the DC power load, the excess unallocated power isallocated to recharge the rechargeable DC battery connected to thedevice port (141). If the instantaneous input power amplitude is lessthan the instantaneous power load being demanded by the DC power load,no power is allocated to the DC power load and the instantaneous inputpower amplitude is fully allocated to recharge the rechargeable DCbattery connected to the device port (141). In cases where neithersolution is workable, e.g. when the instantaneous input power amplitudeexceeds the power demand on the network or may damage the network, theinstantaneous input power is rejected and a new solution is attempted,e.g. to use the rechargeable DC battery connected to the device port(141) to power the DC power load connected to the device port (142).

In steps (840)-(850) the energy management schema determines aconnection scheme for connecting each device to the DC power bus (110)according to the power allocation scheme. Along the primary powerchannel (153) the switch (261) is closed to connect the primary deviceport (143) and the connected DC power source to the power bus. This steppowers the DC power bus at 24 VDC as provided by the 24 VDC power sourceconnected to the primary device port (143).

The reconfigurable power channel (152) is configured as shown in FIG. 5by opening switches (257) and (255) and closing switches (253) and(259). The DC to DC power converter (220) is set to receive an inputpower signal from the DC power bus at 24 VDC and to step the input powersignal up to 32 VDC in order to power the 32 VDC power load connected tothe device port (142).

The reconfigurable power channel (151) is also configured as shown inFIG. 5 by opening switches (257) and (255) and closing switches (253)and (259). The DC to DC power converter (221) is set to receive an inputpower signal from the DC power bus at 24 VDC and to step the input powersignal down to 12 VDC in order to recharge the 12 VDC rechargeablebattery connected to the device port (141).

If at any time, the 12 VDC rechargeable DC battery connected to thedevice port (141) is used as a power source to allocate input power tothe power bus, the reconfigurable power channel (152) is reconfigured asshown in FIG. 6 by opening switches (253) and (259) and closing switches(255) and (257). The DC to DC power converter (221) is set to receive aninput power signal from the rechargeable DC battery connected to thedevice port (141) at 12 VDC and to step the input power signal up to 24VDC in order to deliver input power to the power bus (110).

In a further exemplary operating example, each of the DC to DC powerconverters is operable to modulate current amplitude of a power signalpassing through the DC to DC power converter. In particular the currentamplitude of a power signal entering the power converter input terminal(222) may be passed through the DC to DC power converter substantiallyunmodulated, i.e. at full current amplitude, of substantially fullymodulated, i.e. substantially zero current amplitude.

Exemplary Operating Mode for a Second Network Configuration

Still referring to FIG. 8 and steps (805) through (860), during steps(805)-(815) the digital data processor (120) determines that a primaryexternal DC power device (163) interfaced with a primary device port(143) is a DC power source with an operating voltage approximatelycentered on 24 VDC, that a secondary external DC power device (161)connected to converter device port (141) is a rechargeable DC batterywith an operating voltage approximately centered on 24 VDC, and that asecondary external DC power device (162) connected to converter deviceport (142) is a rechargeable DC battery with an operating voltageapproximately centered on 24 VDC.

In steps (820) and (825) the energy management schema sets the power busDC operating voltage at 24 VDC and determines that the DC power sourceconnected to the primary device port (143) has the highest sourcepriority and that each of rechargeable DC batteries connected to deviceports (141, 142) have an equal load priority.

In steps (830) and (835) the energy management schema determines theinstantaneous input power available from the DC power source connectedto device port (143) as well as the instantaneous input power availablefrom each of the rechargeable DC batteries connected to the device ports(141, 142). The energy management schema determines the instantaneouspower load being demanded by each of the rechargeable DC batteriesconnected to the device ports (141, 142), e.g. based on the State ofCharge (SoC) and energy storage capacity of each rechargeable DC batteryconnected to the device port (141, 142). Thereafter the instantaneousinput power may be equally divided between the two rechargeable DCbatteries, may be fully allocated to one or the other of the tworechargeable DC batteries, or may be partially allocated to each of thetwo rechargeable DC batteries in unequal portions.

In steps (840)-(850) the energy management schema determines aconnection scheme for connecting each device to the DC power bus (110)according to the power allocation scheme. Along the primary powerchannel (153) the switch (261) is closed to connect the primary deviceport (143) and the connected DC power source to the power bus. This steppowers the DC power bus at 24 VDC as provided by the 24 VDC power sourceconnected to the primary device port (143).

The reconfigurable power channels (151, 152) are both configured asshown in FIG. 7 by opening switches (257) and (259) and closing switches(253) and (255). The DC to DC power converter (220) of each circuit(151, 152) is not in use so may be powered down.

In an alternate connection scheme, the reconfigurable power channels(151, 152) are both configured as shown in FIG. 5 by opening switches(255) and (257) and closing switches (253) and (259). In this case theDC to DC power converter (220) is set for no voltage change and is stillusable to attenuate current without a DC to DC voltage conversion. If atany time, one or both of the 24 VDC rechargeable DC batteries connectedto the device port (141, 142) is used as a power source to allocateinput power to the power bus, the reconfigurable power channels (151,152) do not require reconfiguration as long as the DC power busoperating voltage is 24 VDC.

Exemplary Operating Mode for a Third Network Configuration

Still referring to FIG. 8 and steps (805) through (860), during steps(805)-(815) the digital data processor (120) determines that a primaryexternal DC power device (163) interfaced with a primary device port(143) is a DC power load with an operating voltage approximatelycentered on 12 VDC, that a secondary external DC power device (161)connected to converter device port (141) is a rechargeable DC batterywith an operating voltage approximately centered on 24 VDC, and that asecondary external DC power device (162) connected to converter deviceport (142) is a rechargeable DC battery with an operating voltageapproximately centered on 32 VDC.

In steps (820) and (825) the energy management schema sets the power busDC operating voltage at 12 VDC and determines that the DC power loadconnected to the primary device port (143) has the highest load priorityand that each of the rechargeable DC batteries connected to device ports(141, 142) have an equal load and an equal source priority.

In steps (830) and (835) the energy management schema determines theinstantaneous input power available from each of the rechargeable DCbatteries connected to device ports (141) and (142). The energymanagement schema determines the instantaneous power load being demandedby each of the rechargeable DC batteries connected to the device ports(141, 142), e.g. based on the State of Charge (SoC) and energy storagecapacity of each rechargeable DC battery connected to the device port(141, 142). Thereafter the instantaneous input power available from oneor both of the rechargeable DC batteries connected to the device ports(141, 142) is allocated to the power the DC power load connected to theprimary device port (143).

In steps (840)-(850) the energy management schema determines aconnection scheme for connecting each external power device to the DCpower bus (110) according to the power allocation scheme. Along theprimary power channel (153) the switch (261) is closed to connect theprimary device port (143) and the connected DC power load to the powerbus. The reconfigurable power channels (151, 152) are both configured asshown in FIG. 6 by opening switches (253) and (259) and closing switches(255) and (257). The DC to DC power converter (221) associated withreconfigurable power circuit (151) is set to receive an input powersignal at 24 VDC from the rechargeable DC battery connected to thedevice port (141) and to step the input power signal down to 12 VDC inorder to deliver input power to the power bus (110). The DC to DC powerconverter (220) associated with reconfigurable power circuit (152) isset to receive an input power signal at 32 VDC from the rechargeable DCbattery connected to the device port (142) and to step the input powersignal down to 12 VDC in order to deliver input power to the power bus(110).

In order to meet the power demand of the DC power load connected to theprimary device port (143) either one of the rechargeable DC batteriesconnected to secondary device ports (141) and (142) can be usedexclusively by connecting one or the other to the DC power bus.Alternately, in order to meet the power demand of the DC power loadconnected to the primary device port (143) both of the rechargeable DCbatteries connected to secondary device ports (141) and (142) can beconnected to the DC power bus at the same time. In cases where theinstantaneous input power available from one the rechargeable DCbatteries connected to the device ports (141) and (142) exceeds the DCpower load demanded by the DC power source connected to device port(143) any unallocated power is directed to the other rechargeable DCbatteries by reconfiguring the associated reconfigurable circuit toreceive DC power from the power bus, e.g. as is shown in FIG. 5. Howeverthis action is controlled by the energy management schema by configuringreconfigurable power channels to distribute unallocated instantaneousinput power to selected rechargeable DC batteries based on the state ofcharge and charge capacity of the connected rechargeable DC batteries.According to a further exemplary operating mode one or both of the DC toDC power converters is set to modulate current amplitude as a means ofmodulating instantaneous input power being delivered to the DC power bus(110). According to a further exemplary operating mode DC power is onlydrawn from the rechargeable DC battery having the highest instantaneousinput power available. According to another exemplary operating mode DCpower is only drawn from the rechargeable DC battery having the lowestinstantaneous input power available.

Maximum Power Point Tracking Exemplary Operational Mode

In a further non-limiting exemplary network configuration and operatingmode, a DC power load or rechargeable DC battery having a low state ofcharge is connected to the primary device port (143). A first highpriority power source such as a renewable energy source, e.g., a solarblanket or wind turbine, or the like, that tends to have a continuouslyfluctuating voltage and therefore continuously variable power amplitudeis connected to secondary converter device port (141). A secondhigh-priority power source such as a renewable energy source, e.g., asolar blanket or wind turbine, or the like, that tends to have acontinuously fluctuating voltage and therefore continuously variablepower amplitude is connected to a secondary converter device port (142).

In one operating mode the energy management schema sets the DC busvoltage to match the operating voltage of the DC power load or of thelow state of charge rechargeable DC battery and connects all of theexternal power device to the DC power bus using appropriate powerconversion settings as described above.

In a further exemplary operating mode, the digital data processor (120)is operable to run Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms tomodulate input power from one or both of the high priority DC powersources connected to the converter device ports (141, 142). The MPPTalgorithms are usable to convert input power from the variable voltagesecondary power sources (e.g. having time varying input power amplitude)to usable power having substantially constant voltage that is compatiblewith the operating voltage of the DC power bus (110). The operatingvoltage range of the input power source can be determined either bycommunicating with the input power source or may be inferred from sensorsignal feedback. Once the input voltage range is determined the digitaldata processor (120) configures the reconfigurable converter powercircuit (151, 152) corresponding to the converter device port (141, 142)as a power converting input power channel (232), as shown in FIG. 6, andprovides set points to the DC to DC power converter (220, 221) to matchthe incoming voltage to the bus compatible operating voltage.Additionally, each DC to DC power converter (220, 221) is operable tomodulate input current amplitude between substantially zero throughputand full throughput. Thus, the digital data processor (120) is operableto monitor input power amplitude at the power sensor (210, 211) and tomodulate power output amplitude exiting the DC to DC power converters byvarying current amplitude at the DC to DC power converter (220, 221).

Standalone Reconfigurable Power Circuit

Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b , an exemplary, non-limiting reconfigurablepower circuit (400, 401) according to the present invention is shown inschematic view. Reconfigurable power circuit (400, 401) is similar tofirst and second reconfigurable converter power circuits (151, 152),shown in FIG. 4, and like components are numbered with like numbers. Thereconfigurable power circuit (400, 401) includes a one-way DC to DCpower converter (220), a plurality of converter channel legs (243, 245,247, and 249) a plurality of configurable switches (253, 255, 257, and259), a first electrical connection interface (271) and a secondelectrical connection interface (272). As will be further detailedbelow, either or both of the first and second electrical connectinginterfaces described herein may be implemented as a device port orinterfaced with a device port or a DC power bus. A device port is awired connector interface; however, a wireless power interface such asby induction is usable without deviating from the present invention.

An external DC power device is connected to a device port with a wireinterface that includes a terminal connector that can be plugged intothe device port. Typically, a device port connection is temporary andcan be changed by a sued such as by connecting one external DC powerdevice to the device port, e.g. to be charged, or otherwise powered, andthen removing by the user and possibly be replaced by another externalDC power device. A non-limiting exemplary device port embodiment isshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and another is shown schematically in FIG. 11. Ina non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 10 the second electricalconnection interfaces (272 a, 272 b) each connect with a common DC powerbus (110) such as by hard-wiring, or the like. In other non-limitingembodiments either one of the first or the second electrical connectioninterfaces (271, 272) is hardwired to a DC power device, e.g. a DC powersource or rechargeable DC battery or a DC power load.

The one-way DC to DC power converter (220) includes an input terminal(222) and an output terminal (224). Current flow through the one-way DCto DC power converter (220) is directed to the input terminal by thereconfigurable power circuit and exits from the output terminal. DC toDC power conversions, when required, can be carried out by establishingan appropriate configuration of the reconfigurable power circuit (400,401) to direct current flow to the input terminal (222, 222 a, 222 b).As described above and shown in FIGS. 5-7, the reconfigurable circuitcan be configured as a first power converting circuit (230), shown inFIG. 5, as a second power converting circuit (232), shown in FIG. 6, oras a non-power converting circuit (234), shown in FIGS. 7 and 10.

FIG. 10 depicts an alternate configuration of a non-power convertingcircuit (400 a) which is an alternate configuration of the non-powerconverting circuit (234) shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7 thenon-power converting circuit (234) is configured with the configurableswitches (257, 259) both open to prevent current flow over thecorresponding circuit legs (247) and (249) and with the configurableswitches (253, 255) both closed to allow current flow over thecorresponding circuit legs (243) and (245).

As shown in FIG. 10, the non-power converting circuit (400 a) isconfigured with the with only one configurable switch (225 a) open toprevent current flow over the circuit leg (245 a) and thereby forcingcurrent flow to the input terminal (222 a). Otherwise the non-powerconverting circuit (400 a) is configured with three of the configurableswitches (253 a, 257 a, 259 a) all closed to allow current flow over thecircuit leg (243 a) to the input terminal (222 a), to the outputterminal (224 a) to the circuit leg (249 a) and to the device port(141). In the non-power converting circuit (400 a), the DC to DC powerconverter (220) is set with a zero-voltage conversion set point whichallows current to flow through the DC to DC power converter (220)without a voltage conversion. In addition to providing a zero-voltageconversion set point to the DC to DC power converter, the energymanagement schema is operable to attenuate current amplitude byproviding a stream of instantaneous current attenuation set points tothe DC to DC power converter (220) which cause the DC to DC powerconverter to vary current amplitude between substantially zero currentamplitude and maximum current amplitude available.

The non-power converting circuit (400 a) of FIG. 10 provides threeadvantages over the non-power converting circuit (234) shown in FIG. 7.The first advantage is provided by the ability to attenuate currentamplitude which allows the energy management schema to attenuate poweramplitude without voltage variation. Additionally, the output currentamplitude is measured by the output current sensor (265 a) and an outputcurrent amplitude signal generated by the output current sensor isusable by the energy management schema to track output current and poweramplitude. A second advantage over the non-power converting circuit(234) shown in FIG. 7 is the ability to operate the MPPT module (512),shown in FIG. 11, without voltage conversion. In a non-limitingexemplary operating mode, the non-power converting circuit (400 a) isusable with MPPT control in situations where the input power voltage istime varying over a small range and current attenuation control is usedto maintain a substantially constant output power amplitude with lessvoltage variation than the input voltage variability. A third advantageover the non-power converting circuit (234) shown in FIG. 7 is theability to charge both an input bulk capacitor (222 a) and an outputbulk capacitor (224 a) which are each described in detail below. Inparticular, as will be described below, charging the bulk capacitors(222 a, 224 a) delays voltage drops that occurring while theconfiguration of the reconfigurable power circuit is being changed ordue to sudden voltage drops e.g. when an external DC power load isconnected to the DC power bus over one of the reconfigurable circuits(400 a, 400 b), or the like.

According to an aspect of the present invention, one-way DC to DC powerconverter (220) includes input bulk capacitor (225) disposed along thefirst converter channel leg (245) between the input terminal (222) andeach of the first configurable switch (253) and the second configurableswitch (255). Alternately, input bulk capacitor (225) can be positionedinside the DC to DC power converter (220). An output bulk capacitor(227) is also disposed along the third converter channel leg (247)between the output terminal (224) and each of the third configurableswitch (257) and the fourth configurable switch (259). Alternately,output bulk capacitor (225) can be positioned inside the DC to DC powerconverter (220). Otherwise, any bulk capacitance device or circuit thatincludes a bulk capacitance device that is interfaced with any one ofthe input terminal (222), the output terminal (224) or is incorporatedinside the one-way DC to DC power converter (220), or associated withone of the configurable switches (255 a, 257 a, 255 b, 257 b) is usablewithout deviating from the present invention. The bulk capacitancedevices are provided to prevent a sudden short-term voltage drops fromdisrupting power distribution.

Such short-term voltage drops may occur when the reconfigurable powercircuit is being reconfigured, e.g. while switching from a primary powersource to a secondary power source, when an external DC power device isunplugged from a device port, when an energy power source becomesdepleted, or when the charge capacity of a rechargeable DC battery fallsbelow a threshold value. Preferably, the capacitance of each bulkcapacitor is chosen to prevent a sudden voltage drop for a short timeduration. In an example, it is desirable to limit a sudden voltage dropto less than 50% of the operating voltage amplitude for a period of 10to 100 msec. The bulk capacitors therefore delay a low power situationfor long enough to prevent external power loads from failing in somemanner. Mainly, the bulk capacitors are provided to prevent more than50% voltage amplitude drops for at least long enough for thereconfigurable power circuit to reconfigure itself to bring a secondarypower source on line to replace the primary power source.

In example embodiments the capacitance of the bulk capacitors isselected to correspond with providing less than a 50% voltage drop for10-20 msec after an abrupt but temporary power loss such as may occurwhile switching any of the configurable switches to change theconfiguration of the reconfigurable circuit. In other embodiments, thecapacitance of the bulk capacitors is selected to correspond withproviding less than a 50% voltage drop for up to 100 msec. Otheradvantages of including the bulk capacitors relate to limiting poweramplitude peak to valley spreads at device ports and at other electricalconnection interface points associated with external power devices andor internal power devices e.g. the digital data processor, various powersensors, or the like. Additionally, the capacitance of the input andoutput bulk capacitors is selected to diminish voltage amplitude rippleand noise in the reconfigurable power circuit (400, 401). Thereconfigurable power circuit (400, 401) includes an input current sensormodule (262) disposed along converter channel leg (245) betweenconfigurable switch (255) and power converter input terminal (222). Thereconfigurable power circuit (400) also includes an output currentsensor module (265) disposed along, converter channel leg (249) betweenconfigurable switches (257) and (259) and power converter outputterminal (224). Alternately, in the reconfigurable power circuit (401),the output current sensor module (265) is disposed along converterchannel leg (247) between configurable switch (257) and power converteroutput terminal (224). FIGS. 9a and 9b depict the position of the inputcurrent sensor module (262) and the output current sensor (265) for twodifferent embodiments of a reconfigurable power circuit (400, 401).

Each of the input current sensor module and the output current sensormodule is in communication with a digital data processor (120) shown inFIG. 10. The input current sensor module measures and reports aninstantaneous DC current amplitude along converter channel leg (245)when the reconfigurable power circuit is configured as the one-way inputpower converting circuit (232) shown in FIG. 6, for converting a voltageamplitude of power input received from the first electrical connectioninterface (271) when configurable switches (255 and 257) are both closedand configurable switches (253 and 259) are both open. The input currentsensor module also measures and reports an instantaneous DC currentamplitude along channel leg (243, 245) when the reconfigurable powercircuit is configured as the bidirectional non-power converting channel(234), shown in FIG. 7, for a direct exchange of power between the firstinterface (271) and the second interface (272) when configurableswitches (257 and 259) are both open and configurable switches (253 and255) are both closed.

The output current sensor module measures and reports an instantaneousDC current amplitude along converter channel leg (247) and/or (249),depending on location, when the reconfigurable power circuit isconfigured as a one-way output power converting channel (230), shown inFIG. 5, with configurable switches (253 and 259) both closed andconfigurable switches (255 and 257) both open. The output current sensormodule also measures and reports an instantaneous DC current amplitudealong converter channel leg (247) when the reconfigurable power circuitis configured as the one-way power channel (232), shown in FIG. 6, whencontrollable switches (253) and (257) are both open and controllableswitches (255) and (259) are both closed.

The reconfigurable power circuit (400, 401) optionally includes inputvoltage sensor module (264) and output voltage sensor module (267). Theinput voltage sensor module is disposed along the converter channel leg(245) between each of the controllable switches (253) and (255) andinput terminal (222) and measures and reports instantaneous DC voltageproximate to power converter input terminal (222). The output voltagesensor module is disposed along power converter channel (247) betweenoutput terminal (224) and each of the switches (257) and (259) andmeasures and reports instantaneous DC voltage proximate to the powerconverter output terminal (224). Although a single input current sensor(262) and a single output current sensor (265) are illustrated in FIGS.9a and 9b , additional exemplary embodiments of reconfigurable powercircuit (400, 401) can include one or more additional current or voltagesensors. Also input and output current and voltage sensor modules can beimplemented as a single power sensor module that measures and reportspower amplitude.

In an example, each current sensor (262, 265), voltage sensor (264,267), power sensor, generates a power, current or voltage amplitudesignal that is received by a digital data processor (120). When thedigital data processor senses a power amplitude drop that is below a lowpower amplitude threshold, a mitigation action is triggered. Themitigation action may include the digital data processor reconfiguringthe reconfigurable power circuit to select a different input powersource or to disconnect a power load, or the like.

Power Manager

Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a DCpower manager (1000) according to the present invention is shown inschematic view. The exemplary embodiment of power manager (1000)includes first reconfigurable power circuit (400 a) and secondreconfigurable power circuit (400 b) each interfaced with a DC power bus(110). The power manager (1000) also includes a primary power channel(153) also interfaced with the DC power bus (110). The DC power manager(1000) optionally includes a bus power sensor (112) that monitors a DCvoltage amplitude, a DC current amplitude or a DC power amplitude at theDC bus (110). The DC power manager (1000) further includes a digitaldata processor (120) and associated memory module (122).

A first device port (141) provides a first electrical connectioninterface (271 a) to the first reconfigurable power circuit (400 a). Asecond device port (142) provides a second electrical connectioninterface (271 b) of second reconfigurable power circuit (400 b). Asecond electrical connection interface (272 a) of first reconfigurablepower circuit (200 a) and a second electrical connection interface (272b) of second reconfigurable power circuit (200 b) are each electricallycoupled to the DC power bus (110).

The digital data processor (120) is in communication with controlelements of each of the first and second reconfigurable power circuits(400 a, 400 b) including current sensor modules (262 a, 262 b, 265 a,and 265 b), voltage sensor modules (264 a, 264 b, 267 a, and 267 b), oneway DC to DC power converters (220, 221) and configurable switches (253a, 253 b, 255 a, 255 b, 257 a, 257 b, 259 a, and 259 b).

Digital data processor (120) is operable to receive communicationsignals including measurement values from current sensor modules (262 a,262 b, 265 a, and 265 b) and from voltage sensor modules (264 a, 264 b,267 a, and 267 b) and to communicate command signals, e.g. instantaneousvoltage conversion set points to each of the one way DC to DC powerconverters (220, 221) and configuration settings to each of configurableswitches (253 a, 253 b, 255 a, 255 b, 257 a, 257 b, 259 a, and 259 b).The digital data processor (120) is further operable to independentlyconfigure each of the first and second reconfigurable power circuits(400 a, 400 b) as any one of the three different reconfigurable powercircuits (230), shown in FIG. 5; (232), shown in FIG. 6; and (234),shown in FIG. 7, each of which is each described above.

As described above related to FIGS. 9a and 9b , each input currentsensor modules (262 a, 262 b) measures instantaneous DC currentamplitude on converter channel leg (245 a, 245 b) and reports DC inputcurrent amplitude measurement values to controller (120). Likewise, eachoutput current sensor module (265 a, 265 b) measures instantaneous DCcurrent amplitude on converter channel legs (247 a, 247 b, 249 a, 249b), depending on location, and reports DC output current amplitudemeasurement values to controller (120). Each input voltage sensor module(264 a, 264 b) measures instantaneous DC voltage amplitude at inputterminal (222) and each output voltage sensor module (267 a, 267 b)measures instantaneous DC voltage amplitude at output terminal (224) andreports DC input current amplitude measurement values to controller(120).

In a preferred embodiment, the voltage of power bus (110) is configuredby the energy management schema to match an operating voltage of aprimary power device (163) that is electrically interfaced with primarydevice port (143). Preferably the primary power source, such as the mostreliable power source, is interfaced with the primary device port (143)in order to match the DC bus voltage with the voltage of the primarypower source. This configuration is preferred because it is desirable toavoid a voltage conversion of the input power source because this canlead to larger than necessary power conversion losses. As such, a userwill be advised to use the primary device port (143) as an input powerport corresponding with the most reliable power source, e.g. a DC powersupply or fully charged DC energy storage device. However, the primarydevice port (143) can be interfaced with any external DC power devicetype without deviating from the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 10, an operating process is described forthe power manager (1000). In a step (805) the energy management schemapolls each device port to determine if an external DC power device isconnected to the device port. In step (810) the energy management schemadetermines a device type, e.g. whether the connected device is a powerload, a power source, a rechargeable battery or other energy source. Instep (815) the energy management schema determines the powercharacteristics of each external DC power device. For a power load, itsoperating voltage range in volts and its average and peak power loadrequirements in watts is determined. For a rechargeable battery, itsstate of charge, e.g. percentage full or empty, and its charge capacity,e.g. in ampere hours, is determined. For a power source, its average andpeak input power capacity, in watts is determined. In step (820) thestep of selecting the operating voltage for the system (1000) has adefault selection which is to set the DC bus voltage to match theoperating voltage of the primary device (163) connected to the primarydevice port (143). In Step (825) the energy management schema determinesdevice priorities which may be included in step (815) by reading devicepriorities from each connected external DC power devices. Otherwise,device priorities may be dictated by the energy management schemaaccording to one or more predetermined device priority rules or policiesand or situation-based rule configuration settings. In step (830) theenergy management schema determines an available input power amplitude,e.g. from more than one input power source, and an output power demand,e.g. by more than one DC power loads, according to the device powercharacteristics collected in step (815), and allocates the input powerto one or both of the connected external DC power devices (161, 162) instep (835). The allocation step (835) preferably allocates full powerdemand to connected DC power loads and allocates any unallocated powerto rechargeable DC batteries. In a situation wherein the input poweramplitude is insufficient to meet the full power demand of one or moreof the connected DC power loads, the energy management schema will,under some circumstances, use the rechargeable DC battery as a powersource to supplement available power or will simply not deliver power toone or more power loads. In step (840) the energy management schemadetermines how power devices will be connected to the power bus (110).In various configurations step (840) includes connecting one two or allthree power devices ports to the power bus (110). In step (845) theenergy management schema determines voltage conversion settingscorresponding with each one-way DC to DC power converter (220, 221), andin some instances, current attenuation settings for each one-way DC toDC power converter (220, 221). In step (850) the energy managementschema establishes the configuration of each of the reconfigurable powercircuits (400 a, 400 b) by operating appropriated configurable switchesand selecting voltage set points as required to provide voltageconversions at either of the one-way DC to DC power converters (220,221). As soon as the voltage set points are enforced and theconfigurable switches are configured, power is routed through the powermanager according to the configuration selected by the energy managementschema. As shown in Steps (855) and (860) the process (800) is eitherperiodically repeated or repeated in response to a change in the powernetwork configuration or status.

The reconfigurable power circuits (400 a, 400 b) provide an advantageover conventional reconfigurable power circuits because the inputcurrent sensor (262 a, 262 b) and/or the input voltage sensors (264 a,264 b) sense actual instantaneous input power conditions and feed thisinformation to the energy management schema. Similarly, the outputcurrent sensor (265 a, 265 b) and/or the output voltage sensors (267 a,267 b) sense actual instantaneous input power conditions and actualinstantaneous output power conditions and feed this information back tothe energy management schema.

The energy management schema is thus further configured to monitorinstantaneous input power conditions and instantaneous output powerconditions and to implement finer grained control over power conditionsthan was previously achievable. In particular, the energy managementschema is operable to maintain a substantially constant output voltageamplitude at each of the output terminals (224 a, 224 b) by altering thevoltage conversion setting at corresponding one-way DC to DC powerconverters (220, 221). In addition, or alternately, the energymanagement schema is operable to maintain a substantially constantoutput current amplitude at each of the output terminals (224 a, 224 b)by altering a current attenuation setting at corresponding one-way DC toDC power converters (220, 221). In addition, or alternately, the energymanagement schema is operable to maintain a substantially constantoutput power amplitude at each of the output terminals (224 a, 224 b) byaltering one or both of the voltage conversion setting and the currentattenuation settings at corresponding one-way DC to DC power converters(220, 221).

Power Node

Referring to FIG. 11, an exemplary, non-limiting power node (500)according to the present invention is shown in schematic view. Theexemplary power node (500) includes reconfigurable power circuit (400)disposed within a power node housing (570) between a first power deviceport (530) and a second power device port (532). First electricalconnection interface (271) is electrically coupled to the first powerdevice port and second electrical connection interface (272) iselectrically coupled to the second power device port. Each power deviceport (530, 532) is electrically connectable to an external power device(540, 542) by a wired interface, such as by a connector end-point shownin FIGS. 2 and 3. Each external power device (540, 542) is an externalDC power device that can be connected to either the first power deviceport (530) or the second power device port (532). In furtherembodiments, one or both of the external power device ports (530, 532)are electrically connectable to a power bus architecture.

The power node (500) includes an electronic controller (510) thatincludes a power node digital data processor and associated power nodepower node memory module, therein. The power node digital data processorincludes a programmable logic device operating an energy managementschema program thereon and carrying out logical operations such ascommunicating with external DC power devices (540, 542), managing thememory module to store and recall data, reading sensor signals fromvoltage, current, and power sensors, and operating configurable switchesand the DC to DC power converters to configure the reconfigurable powercircuit according to one of the three power circuits (230, 232, 234)shown in FIGS. 5-7 of the power node.

Referring now to FIG. 11 the power node (500) includes a power nodecommunication network (560). The power node communication network (560)is substantially similar to the previously discussed communicationchannel (130) of power manager (100). The power node communicationnetwork (560) includes one or more network or similar communicationinterface devices (514) interconnecting various internal devices andmodules to the electronic controller (510) and specifically to the powernode digital data processor for digital communication and or analogsignal exchange. The communication network (560) optionally includesadditional network communication interface devices (514) operable tocommunicate with other power nodes and or with remote power managers, orotherwise to gain access to various devices and services overintermediate networks, such as a wired local area network (LAN), awireless local area network (WLAN), a peer-to-peer network, a WirelessWide Area Network (WWAN), such as a cellular or medium range radionetwork, or the like. Preferable, intermediate networks provide accessto a Wide Area Network (WAN) so that individual power nodes (500) canreach WAN based network devices such a policy server, an authenticationor authorization server, an Identity Provider, (IdP), a Domain NameServer (DNS), or the like.

Each wireless network interface device (514) is configured to receivecommunication signals configured in a first communication protocolstructure and to translate the first communication protocol signals to asecond communication protocol structure as needed to facilitatecommunication between devices configured to use different communicationprotocols. The communication channels also may extend between internalmodules of the power node (500) without interface with the power nodedigital data processor and may include analog channels for exchanginganalog signals including sensor signals generated by various currentvoltage or power sensors. Each device port (530, 532) is connected withthe power node electronic controller (510) e.g. with the digital dataprocessor over at least one communication network channel. Accordingly,when an external power device is connected with any one of the deviceports, the external DC power device joins the communication networkestablished by the communication interface device (114) forcommunication with the power node digital data processor.

Additionally, the power node communication network (560) may includeconductive paths, wires or the like, for exchanging analog or digitalsignals between electronic components of the reconfigurable powercircuit such as various switches, sensors, and power converters and theelectronic controller (510). In particular, the power node communicationnetwork (560) extends from the power node digital data processor to eachcontrollable element of the power node (500) including configurableswitches (253, 255, 257, 259), current sensor modules (262, 265),voltage sensor modules (264, 267), other power sensors (550, 552) andpower converters (220) to deliver control signals thereto and to receivesensor signals, or the like, therefrom. The control signals includeconfiguration and setting instructions for operating each controllableelement to reconfigure the spinning convert circuit and establishvoltage conversion and current attenuation settings at the one-way DC toDC power converter (220) as dictated by the energy management schema.The communication channels may further include a one-wire identificationinterface extending between the power node data processor (560) and eachdevice port configured to enable the power node digital data processor(560) to query a connected external power device (540, 542) for powercharacteristics information.

Power node digital data processor is configured to communicate controlsignals to the one-way DC to DC power converter (220) and to theconfigurable switches (253, 255, 257, and 259). The power node digitaldata processor is configured to receive measurement signals such as astream of instantaneous current amplitude signals from current sensormodules (262 and 269) and a stream of instantaneous voltage amplitudesignals from voltage sensor modules (264 and 267). In an exemplaryembodiment, power node (500) includes optional first device port powersensor module (550) operable to measure power characteristics of a powersignal at first power device port (530) and an optional second deviceport power sensor module (552), operable to measure powercharacteristics of a power signal at second device port (532). The firstand second device port power sensor modules are operable to report powercharacteristics measurement values, e.g., values of current and/orvoltage, to the power node digital data processor.

The power node can include an optional internal battery (520). Theinternal battery is a rechargeable battery that can be charged when thepower node is operably connected to a power source, to an externalrechargeable battery, or to an external power bus architecture capableof providing charging power to the internal battery (520). The internalbattery provides power to the power node digital data processor, forexample when a power source or rechargeable battery is not connected toeither of first device port (530) and second device port (532) or whenexternal DC power devices connected to the device ports are incapable ofproviding power or when the power node is connected to a power busarchitecture that does not provide charging power to the power node.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, first external power device (540) iselectrically coupled to first device port (530) and a second externalpower device (542) is electrically coupled to second power device port(532). The power node digital data processor determines device type andpower characteristics of each electrically coupled external powerdevice, for example by establishing a communication session with eachexternal power device to determine the characteristics. The power nodedigital data processor can also determine power characteristics of oneor both power devices based on power measurement signals communicated tothe power node digital data processor by the first power sensor module(550) and the second power sensor module (552). After determiningexternal power device type and power characteristics, the power nodedigital data processor controls the one way DC to DC power converter andconfigurable switches of the reconfigurable power circuit (400) toconfigure the reconfigurable power circuit (400) to exchange powerbetween the power devices connected to the external device ports. In anexemplary configuration, first power device (540) is a power sourceoperating at a first DC voltage and second power device (542) is a powerload operating at a second DC voltage that is different from the firstDC voltage. The power node digital data processor configures thereconfigurable power circuit (400) as one of the three reconfigurablepower configurations (230, 232, 234) shown in FIGS. 5-7. In a firstexemplary configuration, the reconfigurable power configuration (232),shown in FIG. 6, is established by the power node data processor byoperating the configurable switches and setting voltage conversion andoptionally current attenuation settings for the power converting inputpower channel to receive input power from the first external DC powerdevice (540) at a first voltage and to deliver output power to thesecond external DC power device (542) at a second voltage. In a secondexemplary configuration wherein the first power device (540) is a powerload operating at a first voltage and the second power device (542) is apower source operating at a second voltage, different from the firstvoltage, the power node digital data processor configures thereconfigurable power circuit as the power converting output powerchannel (230) shown in FIG. 5 to receive input power from the secondexternal DC power device (542) at the second voltage and to deliveroutput power to the first external DC power device (540) at the firstvoltage.

In a third exemplary configuration wherein each of the first external DCpower device (540) and the second external DC power device (542) thesame voltage and the power node digital data processor configures thereconfigurable power circuit as the bidirectional non-power convertingcircuit (234), shown in FIG. 7. In this operating mode, one or both ofthe external DC power devices can be a rechargeable DC battery that isused as a source e.g. by discharging to power a DC power load, or as aDC power load e.g. by charging the DC battery from a DC power source.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the first power device (540) includesa variable voltage power source such as, for example, a solar blanket, awind turbine, or other fluid driven device, e.g. a water wheel and thesecond power device (542) includes a rechargeable DC battery or a DCpower load. In this exemplary configuration, the power node digital dataprocessor configures the reconfigurable power circuit as the one-wayinput power converting circuit (232) shown in FIG. 6 and operates theMaximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) module (512), shown in FIG. 11, toimplement a maximum power point tracking method while converting inputpower received from the variable voltage power source (540) (e.g. havingtime varying input power amplitude) to usable power having substantiallyconstant output voltage that is compatible with the operating voltage ofthe second power device (542). The instantaneous operating voltage orpower amplitude of the variable voltage input power source (540) isprovided to the electronic controller (510) as a stream of voltageamplitude signals generated by the input power sensor (550). Similarly,the instantaneous voltage at the output terminal (224) is provided tothe electronic controller (510) as a stream of voltage amplitude signalsgenerated by the output power sensor (550).

The controller (515) implements a perturb and observe (P&O) PPT processfor tracking an input power amplitude as a function of an output currentset point of one of the one-way DC to DC power converter (220). To findan output current set point that results in peak input power the (P&O)PPT process monitors the input power sensor (550) while incrementallyvarying the output current amplitude of at the DC to DC power converter(220). Thus the DC to DC power converter (220) is operated toincrementally modulate current amplitude through a range of currentamplitude values while monitoring input power at the input power sensor(530). After tracking power through the selected current range a peakpower operating point is selected and the selected DC to DC powerconverter is set to a current amplitude operating point correspondingwith the peak input power level. If the input power source deliverssubstantially non-varying or narrowly varying input power amplitude, theDC to DC power converter may be set to the same current set pointassociated with maximizing input current amplitude. If the input poweramplitude is temporally variable the (P&O) PPT process may be repeated,e.g. at a refresh rate. In either case the DC to DC power convertercurrent amplitude operating point may be refreshed at the refresh rate,such as every 20 to 100 msec.

The power device ports (530, 532) of power node (500) are connectable toa power bus architecture. The DC bus architecture is operated at a DCbus voltage or voltage range which is preselected. In a furtherembodiment either the first or second power device port (530 or 532) isconnected to a power bus architecture e.g. power bus (110) shown in FIG.10, while the other of the first and second power device ports isconnected to an external DC power device, for example a power source orpower load. In an implementation, either the first or second powerdevice port is connected to a variable voltage power source such as asolar blanket while the other device port is connected to a DC busarchitecture. The power node digital data processor configures thereconfigurable power circuit to convert a voltage of a power signalreceived from the variable voltage source to bus compatible voltage andoperates the MPPT module to control the one way DC to DC converter tomodulate the amplitude of input current to maintain the power output ofthe variable voltage power source at an optimized range. Multiple powernodes, each substantially similar to power node (500) can besimultaneously connected to a single external power bus architecture asshown in FIG. 10, and can each receive power from the DC power businfrastructure or deliver power to the DC power bus architecture.

In a further exemplary configuration (not shown) the first power deviceport (530) is electrically connected to a first power bus architectureoperating a first power bus DC voltage and the second power device port(532) is electrically connected to a second power bus architectureoperating at a second power bus DC voltage and the reconfigurable powercircuit (400) is operable to convert the first power bus voltage to thesecond power bus voltage, or the convert the second power bus voltage tothe first power bus voltage to autonomously interconnect the two powerbus architectures and to autonomously exchange power bidirectionallybetween the two bus architectures as the power demand and poweravailability of the two bus architectures are varied.

It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that, while theinvention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments, itis not limited thereto. Whereas exemplary embodiments include specificcharacteristics such as, for example, numbers of device ports, certainbus voltages and voltage ranges, power converter ranges, DC-to-DC powerconversion, those skilled in the art will recognize that its usefulnessis not limited thereto. Various features and aspects of the abovedescribed invention may be used individually or jointly. Further,although the invention has been described in the context of itsimplementation in a particular environment, and for particularapplications (e.g. implemented within a power manager), those skilled inthe art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto andthat the present invention can be beneficially utilized in any number ofenvironments and implementations where it is desirable to selectivelyconnect power devices to a common power bus and to manage powerdistributing and minimize power losses due to power conversions or otherfactors related to power parameters of power devices. Accordingly, theclaims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadthand spirit of the invention as disclosed herein.

What is claimed:
 1. A reconfigurable power circuit comprising: a firstelectrical connection interface and a second electrical connectioninterface; a one-way DC to DC power converter comprising an inputterminal for receiving input power at a first power amplitude and anoutput terminal for delivering output power at a second power amplitude;a plurality of converter channel legs arranged as three differentconductive pathways including a first bidirectional current flow pathbetween the first electrical connection interface and the secondelectrical connection interface, a second, one-way current flow pathextending from the first electrical connection interface to the inputterminal through the one-way DC to DC power converter to the outputterminal and from the output terminal to the second electricalconnection interface, and a third one-way current flow path extendingfrom the second electrical connection interface to the input terminalthrough the one-way DC to DC power converter to the output terminal andfrom the output terminal to the first electrical connection interface;and at least one configurable switch disposed along each one of theplurality of converter channel legs wherein closing one or more firstconfigurable switches and opening one or more second configurableswitches enables exclusive current flow along one of the firstbidirectional current flow path, the second, one-way current flow path,and the third one-way current flow path.
 2. The reconfigurable powercircuit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of channel legs comprises fourchannel legs with one configurable switch disposed along each channelleg.
 3. The reconfigurable power channel of claim 1 wherein exclusivecurrent flow over one of the first bidirectional current flow path, thesecond, one-way current flow path, and the third one-way current flowpath is established by closing at least two and up to three of the fourconfigurable switches and opening at least and up to three of the fourconfigurable switches.
 4. The reconfigurable power circuit of claim 1further comprising one or more input current sensors for measuringcurrent amplitude along any one of the first bidirectional current flowpath, the second one-way current flow path and the third one-way currentflow path.
 5. The reconfigurable power circuit of claim 1 furthercomprising one or more output current sensors for measuring currentamplitude along any one of the first bidirectional current flow path,the second one-way current flow path and the third one-way current flowpath.
 6. The reconfigurable power circuit of claim 1 further comprisingone or more input voltage sensors for measuring voltage amplitude alongany one of the first bidirectional current flow path, the second one-waycurrent flow path and the third one-way current flow path.
 7. Thereconfigurable power circuit of claim 1 further comprising one or moreoutput voltage sensors for measuring voltage amplitude along any one ofthe first bidirectional current flow path, the second one-way currentflow path and the third one-way current flow path.
 8. The reconfigurablepower circuit of claim 1 further comprising one or more input currentsensors for measuring input current amplitude along any one of the firstbidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flow pathand the third one-way current flow path and one or more output currentsensors for measuring output current amplitude along any one of thefirst bidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flowpath and the third one-way current flow path.
 9. The reconfigurablepower circuit of claim 1 further comprising one or more input voltagesensors for measuring input voltage amplitude along any one of the firstbidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flow pathand the third one-way current flow path and one or more output voltagesensors for measuring output voltage amplitude along any one of thefirst bidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flowpath and the third one-way current flow path.
 10. The reconfigurablepower circuit of claim 1 wherein each of the first electrical connectioninterface) and the second electrical connection interface is configuredas a device port.
 11. The reconfigurable power circuit of claim 1wherein one of the first electrical connection interface and the secondelectrical connection interface is configured as a device port.
 12. Thereconfigurable power circuit of claim 1 wherein one of the firstelectrical connection interface and the second electrical connectioninterface is configured as a device port and the other of the firstelectrical connection interface and the second electrical connectioninterface is electrically interfaced with a DC power bus.
 13. Thereconfigurable power circuit of claim 12 further comprising a primarydevice channel electrically interfaced with the DC power bus, a primarydevice port electrically interfaced with the primary device channel,wherein the primary device channel forms a bidirectional non-powerconverting current flow path extending between the primary device portand the DC power bus.
 14. The reconfigurable power circuit of claim 1wherein the one-way DC to DC power converter is operable by anelectronic controller to receive input power at a first input powervoltage amplitude at the input terminal and deliver output power fromthe output terminal at second output voltage amplitude, different fromthe first input voltage amplitude.
 15. The reconfigurable power circuitof claim 1 wherein the one-way DC to DC power converter is operable byan electronic controller to receive input power at a first input currentamplitude at the input terminal and deliver output power from the outputterminal at second output current amplitude, wherein the second outputcurrent amplitude is less than the first input current amplitude.
 16. Apower distribution system comprising: a DC power bus' a plurality of thereconfigurable power circuits of claim 1, wherein the first electricalconnection interface of each of the plurality of reconfigurable powercircuits is configured as a first device port and the second electricalconnection interface of each of the plurality of the reconfigurablepower circuits is interfaced with a DC power bus; a primary devicechannel having a first end thereof terminated by a primary device portand a second end thereof electrically interfaced with the DC power bus;a configurable switch disposed along the primary device channel; adigital data processor electrically interfaced with, a memory module,each of the device ports, each of the controllable switches each of theplurality of reconfigurable power circuits, the one-way DC to DC powerconverter of each of the plurality of reconfigurable power circuits, atleast one sensor positioned to measure one of an instantaneous inputpower amplitude and an instantaneous output power amplitude; and anenergy management schema operating on the digital data processor toautonomously exchange power between at least two external DC powerdevices electrically interfaced with any one of the first device portand the primary device port.
 17. The reconfigurable power circuit ofclaim 1 further comprising: a first device port interfaced with thefirst electrical connection interface and a second device portinterfaced with the second electrical connection interface; a digitaldata processor and an associated memory module in communication witheach of the first device port, the second device port, the one-way DC toDC power converter, and each of the at least one configurable switchdisposed along each one of the plurality of converter channel legs; andenergy management schema operable on the digital data processor, whereinthe energy management schema selectively configures each of theplurality of configurable switches to reconfigure the reconfigurablecircuit as required to exchange power between a first external DC powerdevice connected to the first device port and a second external DC powerdevice connected to the second device port.
 18. The reconfigurable powercircuit of claim 17 further comprising a Maximum Power Point Tracking(MPPT) module operating on the digital data processor wherein the MPPTmodule is operated to receive power input having a time variable voltagefrom one of the first external DC power device and the second externalDC power device and to deliver power output to the other of the firstexternal DC power device and the second external DC power device whereinthe power output has a substantially non-variable voltage.
 19. Thereconfigurable power circuit of claim 18 wherein the MPPT moduleimplements a perturb and observe Power Point Tracking process totracking an input power amplitude as a function of an output current setpoint of the one one-way DC to DC power converter.
 20. A method foroperating a reconfigurable circuit that includes a first electricalinterface point and a second electrical interface point eachelectrically interfaced with a different external DC power device, aone-way DC to DC power converter, a data processor and memory operatingan energy management schema and a reconfigurable power circuit thatextends between the first and the second electrical interface pointscomprising the steps of: evaluating, by the energy management schema, DCpower characteristics at each of the two electrical interface points byone of, measuring a power condition by one or more sensor disposed alongthe reconfigurable circuit; and, receiving power characteristics datafrom one or more of the two external DC power devices; selecting, by theenergy management schema, based on the DC power characteristicevaluation, one external DC power device as a power sources and theother external DC power device as a power load; determining, by theenergy management schema, based on the DC power characteristicevaluation, a DC to DC voltage conversion setting for operating theone-way DC to DC power converter; determining, by the energy managementschema, based on the DC power characteristic evaluation a configurationof the reconfigurable power circuit that corresponds with the DC to DCvoltage conversion setting; wherein the configuration of thereconfigurable power circuit includes any one of a first bidirectionalcurrent flow path between the first electrical connection interface andthe second electrical connection interface, a second, one-way currentflow path extending from the first electrical connection interface to aninput terminal of the one-way DC to DC power converter through theone-way DC to DC power converter to an output terminal of the one-way DCto DC power converter and from the output terminal to the secondelectrical connection interface, and a third one-way current flow pathextending from the second electrical connection interface to the inputterminal through the one-way DC to DC power converter to the outputterminal and from the output terminal to the first electrical connectioninterface; and determining, by the data processor, a configuration ofthe reconfigurable circuit suitable for interconnecting the twoelectrical interface points as required to receive input power from theselected input interface point and to deliver power to the selectedoutput interface point.